Compassion Focused Wellbeing (CFW) Teacher Training

Becoming an Accredited Compassion Focused Wellbeing (CFW) Teacher

A Practical, Experiential and Supportive Approach to Compassion-Based Teaching

The Compassion Focused Wellbeing (CFW) Teacher Training Programme is an engaging and interactive five-day course designed to equip you with the knowledge, practical skills and confidence to teach compassion-based approaches to individuals and groups.

Building upon the foundations of mindfulness, this comprehensive training explores how compassion and self-compassion can be cultivated to support emotional wellbeing, resilience and a kinder, more understanding relationship with ourselves and others.

Like our Mindfulness Now Teacher Training Programme, the CFW course places a strong emphasis on experiential learning, practical teaching experience, group discussion and personal reflection.

Our approach combines the introduction of key concepts with live demonstrations, guided practices, interactive exercises and plenty of opportunities to develop your teaching skills.

Throughout the five days, you’ll take part in practical teaching exercises, working both one-to-one and in small groups. Role play, shared reflection and constructive feedback provide opportunities to deepen your understanding and grow in confidence within a warm, encouraging and supportive learning environment.

We believe that the most effective compassion teachers don’t simply understand compassion intellectually – they learn to embody it in their own lives and teaching.

Your Opportunity to Become an Accredited Compassion Focused Wellbeing Teacher

This training offers a pathway towards becoming a qualified and accredited Compassion Focused Wellbeing teacher, enabling you to share compassion-based practices through structured programmes, individual sessions and group teaching.

At the heart of the training is our unique Compassion Focused Wellbeing (CFW) eight-week programme, which integrates mindfulness and compassion into a flexible, accessible and trauma-informed approach to wellbeing.

The Compassion Focused Wellbeing Programme

The CFW Programme was created by Nick Cooke and Madeleine Agnew, drawing upon their extensive experience in mindfulness teaching and their shared passion for helping people develop greater kindness, understanding and compassion towards themselves.

Developed over more than ten years, the programme grew from a recognition that many mindfulness participants benefit from additional support in cultivating self-compassion, particularly when experiencing self-criticism, difficult emotions or challenging life circumstances.

Building upon the established Mindfulness Now Programme, CFW places a greater emphasis on developing compassion for ourselves and others, while retaining the accessibility, flexibility and practical foundations of mindfulness-based teaching.

What makes CFW distinctive is that it has been developed specifically with mindfulness teachers and their participants in mind.

Rather than offering a rigid or prescriptive approach, the programme brings together evidence-informed compassion-based principles, mindfulness practices and practical teaching methods within an adaptable framework.

The result is a comprehensive, trauma-informed programme designed to help participants explore compassion at their own pace, develop emotional resilience and nurture a more supportive relationship with themselves and those around them.

What You’ll Learn – The Training Syllabus

Our comprehensive training syllabus brings together the theoretical foundations of compassion, practical teaching techniques, professional responsibilities and opportunities for personal development.

Foundations of Compassion Focused Wellbeing

• An introduction to compassion and the CFW approach
• The history and development of evidence-based compassion approaches and their relationship with mindfulness
• The ten attitudes of compassion
• Understanding the importance of self-compassion
• Exploring self-compassion in comparison with self-esteem
• Understanding the three emotional regulation systems and their application within CFW
• The yin and yang of compassion – developing both the nurturing and courageous aspects of compassionate practice
• Recognising and understanding common barriers to compassion
• Exploring compassion backdraft and why difficult feelings can sometimes arise during compassionate practice

Practical Compassion-Based Teaching Skills

• Developing the skills to guide compassion-based meditation and reflective practices
• Using imagination, imagery and creativity within compassion teaching
• Facilitating compassionate journalling, letter writing and other reflective exercises
• Introducing compassionate movement and appropriate supportive touch
• Using the NIA within language as a tool for encouraging self-compassion
• Integrating compassion-based practices with mindfulness teaching
• Developing confidence, authenticity and compassionate presence as a teacher
• Practising the facilitation of CFW exercises through individual and small-group teaching

Safe, Ethical and Trauma-Informed Practice

• Understanding cautions, safeguards and ethical considerations when facilitating compassion-based practices
• Developing a trauma-informed approach to compassion teaching
• Recognising and responding sensitively to emotional difficulties that may arise during practice
• Creating safe, inclusive and supportive learning environments
• Understanding professional boundaries and adapting practices to individual needs
• Recognising the importance of practitioner self-care, reflection and ongoing personal practice

Delivering the Compassion Focused Wellbeing Programme

• Understanding the structure and content of the CFW eight-week programme
• Planning and delivering the full eight-week CFW course
• Facilitating compassion-based sessions with individuals and groups
• Adapting practices to meet different needs and learning styles
• Guiding a compassion-based retreat
• Supporting participants in developing and sustaining their own compassion practices

Compassion-Based Approaches for Children and Young People

• Introducing compassion-based approaches when working with children and teenagers
• Understanding age-appropriate compassion practices
• Teaching the CFW programme for young people
• Creating supportive, accessible and engaging learning experiences for younger participants

And much more, including daily experiential practice, group discussion, guided reflection and opportunities to develop your teaching confidence.

Assessment and Qualification

As with our Mindfulness Now Teacher Training Programme, the CFW qualification includes a comprehensive assessment process designed to ensure that graduates demonstrate the knowledge, practical skills and professional competencies required to teach compassion-based approaches safely and effectively.

Assessment is supportive and developmental, encouraging you to reflect upon your learning and demonstrate your ability to apply compassion-based approaches in real teaching situations.

Assessment takes place in two stages:

1. Practical Assessment During Training

Throughout the five-day course, our experienced trainers observe and support your development through guided practices, teaching exercises, group discussions and practical facilitation opportunities.

2. Post-Course Assignment and Practical Case Study

Following the course, students complete a structured assessment that includes:

• A written question paper exploring key aspects of compassion-based teaching
• Practical case study work with participants
• Recordings of compassion-based teaching sessions
• A written case study report
• Personal reflection and evaluation of teaching practice

Students have up to six months following their training to complete and submit their assessment work.

The assessment considers essential competencies including rapport and relational skills, participant safety, trauma-informed practice, accessibility, teaching and facilitation skills, compassionate enquiry, responsiveness, ethical awareness and the embodiment of compassion.